This book has been produced to highlight the conservation importance of the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts that are found on cultivated land. These plants may be tiny and unobtrusive, but close examination reveals their true beauty. The stunning photographs will surely inspire an increased level of interest in this relatively little-known group and enable even the novice bryologist to gain a better insight into the rich diversity of our bryophyte flora. An introduction to the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts associated with cultivated land Information on the 86 bryophytes found in arable fields Illustrated profiles of the 47 bryophytes most closely associated with arable farming, highlighting those included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Superb close-up photographs and illustrations showing the key features Distribution maps based on the latest available data An easy-to-use approach to the identification of this challenging group

This edited volume documents the current nature conservation status of arable habitats in Europe. Arable farming systems have evolved in the European landscape over more than ten thousand years and now occupy nearly 30% of the European land area. They support species that have life cycles closely synchronised with traditional cereal growing, many of which have experienced massive declines throughout Europe. For example, in Britain, of the 100 plant species exhibiting the greatest declines in the latter half of the 20th century, 47 were typical of arable land. Despite this the habitat and many of the species associated with it remains unprotected across much of Europe. The 22 chapters cover a range of topics, including: · Regional accounts describing the impact of changing agricultural practices on the arable flora; · The results of research and surveillance projects on the soil organisms, bryophyte flora, invertebrate fauna and pollinators of arable habitats; · The potential for designing multifunctional and resilient agricultural landscapes; The use of ex situ conservation to aid the reintroduction of rare arable plants; · Case studies illustrating how changing agricultural practices have impacted on bird populations in Europe; · The roles of remote sensing in monitoring agricultural systems; · How agri-environment schemes can help restore the biodiversity in arable habitats; and · A look forward at ways to help ensure the future security of the species associated with arable habitats. It is clear that the biodiversity of arable land throughout Europe has undergone major changes, particularly during the second half of the 20th century, and that these changes are continuing into the 21st century. We need to develop a deeper appreciation of farmland wildlife and its integration into farming systems to ensure its future security in a world where value is increasingly expressed in terms of material profit. This book is particularly relevant to practitioners, policy-makers and managers working in the fields of nature conservation, agri-environment schemes and land management, and to researchers working in the fields of conservation biology, terrestrial ecology, nature conservation, applied ecology, biodiversity, agriculture, agricultural ethics and environmental studies.

This is the first book to cover England's rare and threatened mosses and liverworts, collectively known as bryophytes. As a group, they are the most ancient land plants and occupy a unique position in the colonization of the Earth by plant life. However, many are at risk from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and other factors. Britain is one of the world's best bryologically recorded areas, yet its mosses and liverworts are not well known outside a small band of experts. This has meant that conservation action has tended to lag behind that of more charismatic groups such as birds and mammals. Of the 916 different types of bryophyte in England, 87 are on the British Red List and are regarded as threatened under the strict criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This book aims to raise awareness by providing stunning photographs--many never before published--of each threatened species, as well as up-to-date profiles of 84 of them, including status, distribution, history, and conservation measures. The book looks at what bryophytes are, why they are important and useful, and what makes them rare; it also examines threats, extinctions, ex situ conservation techniques, legislation, and the impact of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity. Provides the first treatment of England's rare and threatened mosses and liverworts Features stunning photographs--many never before published--of each species and many of their habitats Treats each species in a handy and attractive double-page layout Includes up-to-date profiles of 84 species, including status, distribution, history, and conservation measures Presents the first overview of English bryophyte conservation Offers invaluable guidance to people working in conservation in England, the British Isles, Europe, and beyond

The 10-km square dot-distribution maps, based on 30 years’ recording by members of the British Bryological Society, were produced at the Biological Records Centre, ITE, Monks Wood. Each species’ map is accompanied by notes on its habitat, reproductive biology and overseas distribution, and additional maps are included to illustrate various factors affecting distribution. Each volume contains an introductory chapter and concludes with a bibliography and index to species.

This book concentrates on the group of plants showing the steepest decline among British flora over the past 25 years--plants that grow among the crops. Easy-to-use format is designed to enable people to take it into the field and to identify these species whether they are a beginner or an expert The text covers the history of--and includes practical recommendations for managing--the places where these plants still occur 100 plant profiles include key identification features, flowering and germination times, and differences between similar species Color distribution maps show where these plants have been seen in the past 25 years, while the accompanying text indicates their current location

Issues in Life Sciences: Botany and Plant Biology Research: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Life Sciences—Botany and Plant Biology Research. The editors have built Issues in Life Sciences: Botany and Plant Biology Research: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Life Sciences—Botany and Plant Biology Research in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Issues in Life Sciences: Botany and Plant Biology Research: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.